O'Leary says 2012 recruiting class lacks star power but will likely end up becoming one UCF's better classes

February 1, 2012|By Iliana Limón, Orlando Sentinel

Five impact signees:

OL/DL Chester Brown, 6-5, 340, Bradwell Institute /Hinesville, Ga.

Brown was slated to enroll at Georgia, but an immigration issue forced the strong, nimble lineman to re-open his recruitment schools.

WR Drico Johnson, 6-2, 200, Agape Christian / Orlando

Johnson, one of UCF's highest-rated recruits, gives the Knights much-needed size at receiver.

QB Tyler Gabbert, 6-0, 190, Parkway West / Ballwin, Mo.

Gabbert, the younger brother of NFL QB Blaine Gabbert, was rated a four-star prospect by Rivals.com coming out of high school. Tyler Gabbert, a redshirt sophomore, will compete for the starting quarterback job.

OT Phil Smith, 6-5, 292, Jesuit / Tampa

The former Georgia Tech starter will be immediately eligible for one season and is expected to compete for the starting right tackle job.

WR Taylor Oldham, 6-1, 195, Warner Christian / Daytona Beach

UCF coach George O'Leary called Oldham a bigger, faster version of current WR J.J. Worton

Rest of the class

CB Jeremy Davis, 6-0, 170, Milford Academy / Cape Coral

S Jared Henry, 6-1, 190, First Coast / Jacksonville

WR Breshad Perriman, 6-2, 180, Arabia Mountain / Lithonia, Ga.

DE Luke Adams, 6-3, 260, Catholic / Pensacola

TE Cal Bloom, 6-5, 235, Osseo / Maple Grove, Minn.

OT Michael Campbell, 6-6, 265, Pace / Pensacola

TE Blake Davis, 6-4, 235, American Heritage / Deerfield Beach

CB Jacoby Glenn, 6-1, 170, Vigor / Prichard, Ala.

QB Troy Green, 6-1, 200, Skaneateles / Skaneateles, N.Y.

WR Dareen Owi, 6-3, 195, Norland / Miami

OL Kelly Parfitt, 6-5, 320, American Heritage / Boca Raton

LB Stanley Sylverain, 6-3, 215, Golden Gate / Naples

OT Colby Watson, 6-5, 310, Pine Forest / Pensacola

CB Nicco Whigham, 6-1, 195, Cardinal Gibbons / Fort Lauderdale

The assessment

UCF's recruiting class lacks star power, and the Knights came up short on four targets, but a mix of transfers, grayshirts and freshmen combined to fill holes on the roster and formed a solid recruiting class. Coach George O'Leary said he was especially pleased with the players' height, range and speed.

The big catch

O'Leary praised Brown's versatility, size, quickness and strength. Brown has the talent to play on both sides of the ball and could be the rare lineman capable of earning significant playing time early in his career. He committed to UCF during the weekend and passed on late offers from ACC and SEC schools.

"I think you're going to find this class will end up being one of the better UCF classes. There are no sexy names probably that you want to see as media people, but most of those guys don't make it anyway. Go back and look at the history on them, all these four-star, five-star guys, they're working somewhere at McDonalds." — O'Leary